PRESS BOX.

Italian police stage drug raid

May 28, 2004|By Tribune news services.

A massive police raid on more than 100 homes, offices and hotel rooms early Wednesday in Italy highlighted the latest development in the war on drugs in sports.

As American officials try to prevent drug cheats from competing in this summer's Olympics by using evidence from the BALCO scandal against track and field competitors, the Italian raid underscores the extent of the problem worldwide.

Police took documents from the Institute of Sport Science belonging to the Italian Olympic Committee and the Italian Cycling Federation, according to an officer in Rome.

World champion pole vaulter Giuseppe Gibilisco and Nicola Vizzoni, a silver medalist in the hammer throw at the 2000 Olympics, confirmed that they were targeted, according to Reuters.

Among those targeted were 15 professional and 77 amateur cyclists, and seven athletes from other sports.